According to officials, the two vehicles that caused the shut-down rear-ended a car that had already been in an accident.

"It appears that a prior collision occurred where (those) cars were possibly blocking the lanes," CHP Sgt. Mike Dulong said. "A Toyota Corolla was either stopped or slowing for the previous collision and a Honda Accord came along and rear-ended the Toyota Corolla."

CHP originally reported that there was at least one fatality at the accident site. The driver of the Toyota Corolla instead suffered major injuries, Dulong said.

The passenger of the Toyota and a passenger in the Honda also suffered injuries.